Antoni WASILEWSKI 1905 - 1975

CARICATURE OF JOZEF PIŁSUDSKI
Pencil, watercolor, ink, silver paint, paper; 27 x 19 cm (illus. p-p)
Signed p.d.: AWasilewski / Warsaw
Asking price 600
Estimate 800 - 1000
◙ droit de suite
Antoni WASILEWSKI
1905 - 1975
He passed his high school diploma in 1924 in Cracow. He then began his studies at the Higher School of Industry. At the same time, he developed his artistic interests: he was a free student at the Cracow Academy of Fine Arts and the Ludwika Mehoffer Free School of Painting and Drawing.
The artist was involved in painting, illustration and satirical drawing, among other things. He made his debut in 1923 in Lviv's "Szczutek". From 1924 he worked with the publishing concern of the Illustrated Daily Courier. In 1930-1939 he served as editor-in-chief of the satirical magazine "Sparrows on the Roof." At the beginning of World War II, he was mobilized to the 20th Infantry Regiment of the Land of Cracow. He was interned at the Rosiori de Velde camp in Romania. He managed to escape to France.
Finally, his wartime wandering ended in June 1940, when the artist arrived in Great Britain. He remained there until 1957. In the British Isles, he edited Polish periodicals: "Dziennik Polski" and "Dziennik Żołnierza." From 1947 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Edinburgh. As a cartoonist, he collaborated with many British magazines. He even had his own program on BBC television, in which he appeared drawing live. After returning to Poland in 1957, he settled in Cracow. He drew for "Szpilek" and "Przekroj". He exhibited at the Palace of Art of the Society of Friends of Fine Arts (his solo exhibitions were held in 1959 and 1963). He was awarded the Bronze Medal at the 1961 Salon.